Stretcher.



F. E. CLARK.

smncHER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-12.19%?.

Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

5 l: www WN @Wmv o Nv@ lwv F. E. CLMIK.v

STRETCHER.

APPLlcATloN mio Nov,|2.x9|1.

Patented Dea. 3l, 1918.

n.: .una "un ou. immuun. 'unnmmmn f IFFMEE.

u FRANK n. CLAnK, or HARMONY rcwu'snir, GHATAUQUACOUNTY, NEW YORK,

rsp'ecicatioif Letters raten.' Patented Dec, 31, 1918,

Appiicatidn 'nauqventd 12,1917, seiainaeoisa.

e it knownthat.. l, FRANK E.' CLARK, .a citiven ofthe United States, and a-residenty offHarmony township, in .theA county.vv of Chautauqua-f and Stateof New .Yorlghave inven ted new and. useful. .Improvements in Stretchers, of which -thelfoll'owing is a speci-,- fication.

- -Mv invention relates. to stretchers and has particular reference to that class ofgstretchers employedin the .manufacture Vofcomposite bel-ts` although not restricted to suchuse.

Anlimportant obje-ct of theinventionis. t

. provide-in a Udevice of the above mentioned,

character rva means whereby a. uniform andA predetermined tensionmay be maintained throughout the entire length o f the base .element of a belt in the. buildingup of the Salll. i

A further object is=toprovide in a device of the above mentioned character ameans whereby fluid pressure may be employed as an actuating medium for the tension maintaining means.

A further object of the aibove mentioned charactena. means whereby the fluid pressure.v exerted with-ina cylinder comprising an element ofthe tension maintainingV means', maybe maintained constant under varying conditions.

A further Objectis to provide in a device of the above mentioned character a means whereby the fluid, confined with-in a cylinder comprising anl element of the tension maintaining means, may be maintained constantat a predetermined pressure. l

A further obiect ofthe invention is to provide ina device ofthe above mentioned character a means whereby tension may be gra-dually and uniformly set upA within a. belt, undergoing construction in accordance with my invention. y I A further object is to provide in-a device fili of the above mentioned character a means whereby a' uniform coefficient of expansion of a belt, built. up in accordance with myv invention. may be attained.

A; further object is 'to provide a device of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction. inexpensive to manufacture, strong, durable, and reliable in opf is to provide in a. devicev Other obieets and advantages of the in- `renzionwill be apparent during the course ofthe following description.

. In the accompanying drawings formingf a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like partsthroughout the same,

Figure 1v shows a stretching device em- 60 bodving the invention, a

F ig. 2 shows a device similar to that of Fig. 1 to be usedi in connection with the same,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is al detail view of aportion of the device shown in Fig. 1, and,

4ig. 5 .is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view of a cylinder.

.lnfthe drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred form of my invention the numeral 10 indicates a Ceiling from which tbe vdevice is preferably suspended. While I have shown my device as beingl suspended from the ceiling I wish it 75 understood, however, that any other suitable means of support for the same may be em.- ploved. To suitable supports 11, 12, 13 and 14 there arejournaled pulleys 15, 16, 17v and 18, respectively. l In .proximity y to the pullevs 15 and. 16 therel is suspended by any suitable means ofv support an elongated cylinder 19 having mounted therein a reciprocatory piston '20. Thispiston is preferably formed of a hollow pipe. the outer diameter of which is substantially less than the inner diameter of the cylinder 19. Should it be desired, however, the piston may be solid, I having employed av hollow piston in order to obtain a structure as light in weight as possible and to further enable me to employ the least amount of fluid possible used in the actuation of the Same as will hereinafter be described.

It is to be noted that the end of the piston 20'confined within thev cylinder 19 is closed by meansv of a'suitable screwethreaded plug or -cap 21. Upon one end of the cylinder. 19 there is mounted a screw thread cap as shown, while the' other endof the cyl- 100 inder is provided with a screw-threaded stutling-bo.\.Y 23 carrying a flange 24 adapted. to receive-thereon a flange 25 4carried by a; gland 26,. theV gland 26 bengdesigned to oc cupy a portion of the space aiiorded between the stufling-box 23 andthe piston 20 passing therethroughas clearly shown in Fig. 5.

Within a track or guide 27 suspended in Ata suitable point' upon .the fluid pressure pipe l30 therel .is disposed a` pressure regulatingvalve 31 of the conventional form' or typefthis'valve being provided tov allow a predetermined pressure to be built up within the. cylinder.V 19, this pressure .beingpre determined by means of .the regulating l rod V32 ofthe valve .31. :To the pipe 30 at asuitable pointbetvveenk the valve-3l and the eylinder 19 vthere is connected a pressure relief or safetyvalve 33 .by means of asult-V able. connection, as shown .at 34. f Thislgpr'essure relief or safety valve 1s of the convene tional type and provided with means, asin? dicated at 35, "whereby the Ipointatwhich 1 thesame will be actuated may be predetermined'or, regulated.; To'the valve 33 there is connectedy a dischargev pipe 36, thisdisf charge pipe being` provided as a, means for.

I is connecteda dischargepipe `37v having.

fio:

h'aiisted frorn'the cylinder19:bythe'pumpV Y Y Y may be'conveyed' to any desired or'reniote conveying spent fluid to '..anydesiredor remote location. To the cylinder 19 or tothe {i'ui'dprssure pipe `30 at a suitable 'point between thel cylinder l9jandv valve';31 vthere manually operated vvalve'38 disposed there# Y L in,the` discharge pipe 37 being vconnected to asuitable, ejector or exhaust painpjas' shownV at To the exhaust ,pump 39 vthere is 'f connectedfa pipe k39f-by which uid expoint. If suiicient discharge headV isiavailable'th'e pump 39 may Ebe omitted.

AThe above descriptionvis common to the' disclosures shown in Figs. 1to5, inclusive,

whilejin Fig. 2 it is to vbe noted Vthat I have dispensed with the pulley -18 fand have sub stituted therefor pulleys40, 41, Y42 and 43 the pulleys 40, 41, 42 and 43 being journaled to vertical supports; 44 and 45, respectively. It is .to be further noted that in Fig. 2 there is' shown ,disposed approximately interme diatethe pulleys L41v and 43a press 46"the function of which will hereinafter be described.

In u se, the operation ofthe deviceis as follows :V In constructinga belt the base ele ment comprising; a strip of cotton, canvas, or any', other' flexible material which may be used inl the Yconstruction of va composite belt,

1, the ends of the same being secured togetherfby any suitablev meanss-as--aV hookV or the like.

Assuming that the valve 38 is closed the pressure relief or safety valve 33 is setat a desired point of actuation.V Thev pressure vregulating valve 31 is set also at a desired ...point corresponding to that of the valve 33. Thevalve 31 disposed withinI the Huid .pressure pipe 30 is then gradually opened permitting iuid pressure to pass through the pipe 30 and into the cylinder 19 whereupon the piston 20de actuated moving the carriage 28 carrying the pulley`29 along the track27.' The actionof *thev piston'20, in-l directly through the ycarriage28Aand 'pulley 2,9, upon the iiexible material46V sets upa tension within the iexibleelement 46A the degree of tension corresponding directly to the actuation point of valves. 31 and 33,

During this time power isappliedjtofthe pulley 47 causing the fiexib'levmaterial to travel inV the'direction indicated by the ar-v rows. VYA VsuitableV sizing material is then applied'to the fiexiblefmaterial in "itscourse of travelV a sufficient lengthpof time Yto impregnate the pores s of the material therewith. Theactioncreated by the sizing ma? terial causes the expansionV ofjthe ,flexible material, whereupon the pressure Vexerted within the cylinder 19 ismomentarily lowered.Y The loweringfof thispressure affects they. actuationV of the pressure regulating valve 31, thereby supplying additional pres# sure within'the cylinder 19`thus maintain ing the normalpressure withinV the cylinder.

rllhe flexible material 46fis allowed t0 1Y0'Y main in the position as indicatedfin Fig. l' Y for -a period Yof'from ten tofourteenhours duringlwhich 'period a `relatively.'sl'ow'-'but v constant' travelin the direction offthega'r-l Y rows ,is maintained. ''As the ftlexibleniatei Vri`alj46 dries'in this travel itneces'sarily contracts YtherebyV continuing' to set up an exe f I have described thisgstep inthe-:processfof Y cessive pressurewithin ythe cylinder 19,..l rwhich excessive pressure is released there-i i from bymeans of the relief valve '33.. While building upa belt by my proposed method asbeing accomplishedwith one cylinder it is obvious that'a plurality of cylinders may be employed functioning in the Samemanner.

When the `flexible material has become completely dry it is removedfrom the pulleys shown' in Fig. 1' and placed 'u-ponthe pulleys as'indicated in Fig. 2. 'Thefpressure regulating means is employed*V in the same manner as hereinbefore described to main tain a constant tension within'the liexible material 46. `ThefleXible material 46 then moved by any suitable means along'its course of ,travel in the directionv ofthe ar-v i rows.- At a point AV in'proXiinity tothe' press 46 a suitable adhesive is appliedl'to" eitherone of bot-h or both sides of the flexible material, as desired. facing of leather, rubber or other suitable material is then applied to either one of both or both sides of the flexible material as the case may be. The flexible material carrying the facing material and adhesive is then passed into the press 46 whereupon pressure is applied for a. desired length of time thereby necessarily adhering the facing material to the flexible base material comprising the belt. The pressure is then released from the press whereupon the flexible material carrying the adhered facing material is moved in the course of travel indicated by the arrows. The application of suitable adhesive and facing material is lcontinued until the entire length of flexible material has undergone the above described operations. rl`he dampening effect of the adhesive upon the flexible material-tends to cause the same to expand. This expansion is compensated by the action ofthe fluid pressure Within the cylinder 19 inthe manner as hereinbefore described in connection with Fig. 1. After the flexible material has been faced With a suitable material as described it is allowed to remain in the position yshown in Fig. 2 for a period varying from ten to fourteen hours during which time the uniform tension is maintained Within the same by the action of the fluid pressure Within the cylinder.19 as hereinbefore described in con nectionvvvith Fig. 2.

When it is desired to remove the flexible material 46 from the position shown in Fig. 1 or the finished product as indicated in Fig. 2, the valve 31 of the fluid pressure pipe 30 is closed. The valve 38 of the discharge pipe 37 is then opened and the use of the ejector or exhaust pump 39 is involved thereby releasing or ejecting the contents of thecylinder 1itl-Which tendsI to create a par tial vacuum Within 'the cylinder 19, thereby causing the piston 20 to move to the position shown in Fig. 5 thus relieving the tension maintained Within the flexible elements 46 or the finished product as the case may be, and permitting easy removal of either the flexible material or finished product from their respective positions, whereupon other material, in either instance, may be inserted to be operated upon. i

It is tobe understood that various changes in the'shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of mv invention or the scope of the subjoined claims'.

Having thus described my invention. what I claim as new and desire to secure and protect by Letters Pat-ent of the United States, is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of pulleys adapted to receive thereon a strip of flexible material; fluid pressure means for building up tension Within said flexible material, and means for varying the limit to Which the tension may be built up.

l 2. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of pulleys adapted to receive thereon a strip of flexible-matcrial; fluid pressure means forbuilding up tension Within said flexible material, means for varying the limit to which the tension may be built up, and fluid pressure operated means for maintaining constant the built up tension, i f' Y 3. A device of the character described comprising .a plurality of pulleys adapted to receive thereon a strip of flexible material; a cylinder provided therein with a reciprocatory piston,'said piston being adapted to move one of said pulleys With respect to the other of said pulleys whereby a tension may be set up yWithin said flexible material; an inlet pipe communicating with said cylin der, said pipe being adapted'toI transmit fluid pressurel into said cylinder;v and automatic means governing the supply of fluid pressure to'said cylinder, the operation of said means being governed by the variation of pressure Within said cylinder.

4.'A device ofthe character described i comprising a plurality of pulleys adapted to receive thereon a strip of flexible material; a cylinder provided therein with 'a reciprocatory piston, said piston being adapted to move one of said pulleys With respect to the other of said pulleys whereby a tension may be set up Within said flexible material; an inlet pipe communicating with said cylinder. said pipe' being adapted to transmit fluid pressure into said cylinder; automatic means governing the supply of fluid pressure to said cylinder, the operation of said means being governed b v the variation of pressure within said cylinder; and automatic means relieving excessive pressure set up within said cvlinder as a result of contraction of said flexible material, the latter named automatic means being governed by the variation of pressure Within said cylinder. 5. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of pulleys adapted to receive thereon a strip of flexible material; a cylinder provided therein with a reciprocatory piston, said piston being adaptedl to movel one of said pulleys With respect to the other of said pulleys whereby a tension may be set up Within said flexible material; an inlet pipe communicating with said cylinder, said pipe being adapted to transmit fluid pressure into said cylinder for moving said piston out of normal position; and means for pumping from said cylinder the contents thereof. v

mounted therein, said lpiston being adapted `to "extend an appreciable; distance Without said cylinder'iia pulleycarried by thefou't'er end lpf said', piston rand adaptedto moved .'Witliifres'pet te thefether Of iadfp'lilleys; Wherebrvatnsien. may be Seturfwflin flexible'material; ag'uid'e for support'- .'l @fill ,of "said ps'tr its YCiPITOC'- tory travel a4 lpi'p'e communicating .with said eylinlee Said Pipebins adapted-*10" traits y mitv pres'sure'4 `into. said cylinder for if actuating' "said: piston ,and automatic means governing the-supply ofluid vpressure to saidwylinder, -the'operation' offsaid means leing governed "by the 'variation of pressure 'Within'.said cylinderff'""Uf,A f Y, L1A? 'de'viel the chara'cter' vvdescribed cnlpri 'a-l plurality of "pulleys adapted to ,ie'r eivefl thereon fa lstripfo'fr` flexible4 material; cylinder having- Aa Ifife'i'procatory piston mountedltherein, lsaid 'piston being adapted to extend yan?-apfpre'c'i'able distance Without said Cylinder a pll'ey carried 'byy the outer end of 'saidpi'ston and Y'adapted to be' moved ,v vith respectf't'o"thefother of 'said pulleys, ivhereby';y a' tension;E may, bei, setv up `Within i Lsaid 'tlexi'blegrnaterial a guide for supporting 'the-'end'jof'lsaid plist'onim its Vreciproca`l tory travel'rapipecommunicating with Vsaid cylinder, said pipe being' 'adapted Yto transmit "'fiuji df ypressu re into 'said f* cylinder' for vactuatingl sai'd piston gf automatic meansv 'for gi),Yeriiingv the supply of fluid pressure ,t0 said cylinder, the'foperatioyn of said'means being governedfby'the vvariation of`pres sure-Within :said cylinder; and Vautomatic i .1 means for; releasing excessive" pressure set "WithinY said "cylinderj the latter named means Ibeing "governed",bf'V the lvariationl of pressure vvithin "said-cylinder(vvv e 8. A" 'devie'fothel''character described comprisi agpl'urality 'of' pullevs adapted to reeeivtliereona 'strip of flexible material; 'af' cylinder', provided therein With arecinrocatory piston.I said ypiston beingv adapt-l ed ,to move one ofvsaid nulleys with respect Hui d pressure -l.tolI said Vcylinder@` the operati on nl idf means being governed' bv the variaterial in an endless path.

e. A- device` of are' character v'destete-i comprising a pluralit'yof pulleys adaptedte receive thereon a strip Vof flexible material; af cylinder 'having a reciprocatory piston mounted therein, said piston being adapted to extend an' appreciable ldistance Without said cylinder; a pulley `"carried bythe y'outer end of said ypistonaud adapted'to be moved With-respect to the otherf of pulleys, `whereby a tension mayl be set up -yv'ithin saidf flexible material; a guid'e'for supporting the end of said pistonlin itsreciproca'- toryftr'av'e'l'; a pipe communicatingwith*said cylinder, V'said pipe being adapted to transmit fluid pressure f into vsaid cylinder for actuating said piston automatic means'4 governing the supply of fluid pressure to said cylinder, the operation' of said meansbeing governed bythe variation-of pressure-With'- in said cylinder; fautomaticmeans forreleasing excessive pressure set up within said cylinder, the operation of the second named means being governed by* the variation of pressure Withinjsaid cylinder, means 'for moving said flexible material in an endless path; anda press dispose'din the/line of travelV f' said llexible: material'.

10. In a sub-combinati'onY a plurality 4of pulleys adapted to "receive thereon a strip of "flexible material a tension ymaintaining means comprising a cylinder; a reciprocatory piston mounted therein, an'dextending Without the cylinder, said pistonh'aving a uniform diameter throughout its Vlength sub# stantially smaller'than the inner diameter of saidV cylinder; a stuliing-box vcarriedfbyYV 'one end of said cylinder, throughr which pulleycarried at-.thefouter end of 1said piston, said pulleybeing adapted to'be moved by said piston'wherebya vtension maybe set up Within said-flexible material; means forl admitting lluid pressure into said cylinder whereby said piston may be moved; and automatic-means governing the supply o'l fluid pressure to Ysaid cylinder, the operation of the latternamed means 'being/gov# erned by the variation of pressure Within said cylinder.

11.v In sub-combination a plurality fot" pulleys adapted to -receive thereon afle'x'ible material;y a tension maintaining means com? prising a cylinder; fav-reciprocatory 'hollowpistonl having one'fend l closed mounted; there#l in, andv extending Without "the A cylinder, said piston having a uniform diameter through?V Y out itslength substantially smaller than-the inner diameter of said cylinder; aV stullingf box carried by `one endy of said cylinder through which said piston is adapted tO reciprocate; a pulley `carried "at 'theputer end be moved by said piston whereby a tenbeing governed by the variation of pression may be set up Within said iexible masure Within said cylinder; and automatic terial; means for admitting fluid pressure means for relieving excessive pressure set 10 into said cylinder whereby said piston may up Within said cylinder, the operation of the 5 be moved; automatic means governing the last named means. being governed by the supply of fluid pressure to said cylinderj variation of pressure Within said cylinder. the operation of the second named means u FRANK E. CLARK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

